29th May 2008, 10:30 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today Qualcomm announced Plaza, a new framework for creating and delivering widgets to phones using the BREW platform. Plaza will use standard Web-based technologies so carriers and other content providers can create widgets for a wide variety of handsets. Widgets are small programs that access the mobile web to gather specific information or content. The goal of Plaza is to generate more widespread use of the mobile internet.

more at Qualcomm »

May 28th 2008, 8:51 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

Today at Google's I/O conference, a live demonstration of a phone running the Android platform showed off some of the new mobile operating system's capabilities. One feature is a user-defined, gesture-based unlock capability. Users can create a password using their finger on the screen, and then use that pattern to unlock the phone. It will also have a compass tool that automatically roams with the phone while a user looks at photographic images of a city map. The demonstration took place on a touch screen device, but Google said that Android will also work on devices that use trackballs for navigation. Google said that work on the platform is nearly complete, but would not confirm a date or timeframe when it might be available for consumers.

more at Associated Press »< ... Read more »

May 28th 2008, 8:39 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

T-Mobile in Europe announced a new smartphone from HTC, the MDA Compact IV. The design of this phone will be exclusive to T-Mobile in Europe, though other versions of the phone may become available to countries outside of Europe. The MDA Compact IV has the latest version of HTC's 3D touch interface and pairs it with a VGA screen. It will run Windows Mobile 6.1, and carries a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and 4GB of internal memory. The Compact IV will be able to access T-Mobile's HSDPA/HSUPA network at speeds of 7.2 Mbps, and it has integrated GPS. If a version of this phone is made available in the U.S., it may or may not come with all the features listed here.

more at HTC »

28th May 2008, 8:35 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Yesterday, 6:37 PM

Beginning today, new customers who sign contracts with AT&T will have prorated early termination fees that start at $175 and drop by $5 each month that the contract remains in place.